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Trans-Am Legends Star on the Avenues of Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA,
August 27, 2012.

On Tuesday, August 14,
2012, the avenues of the picturesque seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea
reverberated with the roar of powerful engines, as an unparalleled group of
historic racing cars from the legendary Trans-Am Series drove into the display
area of the 2012 Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours on the Avenue. The sixteen cars,
accompanied by a California Highway Patrol escort, represented mostof the teams and brands
that competed in the classic era of the series from 1966 to 1972.

The Trans-Am cars were
just one of the highlights of the 6th edition of the Concours
on the Avenue, which has quickly established itself as a must-do event in the
crowded “Monterey Week” calendar, noted for its welcoming and inclusive
atmosphere and extraordinary vehicles. Thousands of spectator guests and
local residents enjoyed almost 200 entries this year, arrayed on the tree-lined
avenues of the charming village. The Concours on the Avenue marked the passing
of Carroll Shelby with a brilliant class of thirteen genuine Cobras, spanning
the full range of models from the 289’s to the 427’s.

Michael G. Tillson,
Chief Judge at the event, stated “2012 has been, without a doubt, the best year
ever for the Concours on the Avenue- the Trans Am class was over the top.” He
went on to praise the talents of the more than 50 judges who serve at the
Concours. “Their knowledge is astonishing, and they get it right and do it on
time, with very tough choices in the class awards.”

There was, however,
apparently no challenge for the judges in their unanimous choice for Best in
Show; Larry and Juana Carter’s stunning dark blue 1967 Ferrari 275 GTS/4 ‘NART’
Spyder. It was the epitome of the guiding principle of the Concours on
the Avenue- ‘Authenticity and Originality Matter’. While the Ferrari was judged
best of the best, it was emblematic of the depth of quality in the display.
Fifteen major awards, provided by sponsor Tiffany & Co. and presented by the
announcing team of Ed Justice, Jr., Michael T. Lynch and Donald Osborne, went
to cars as varied as a rare Lloyd 2-cylinder van done in period PanAm airlines
livery, to a beautiful Ferrari 250 GTL Lusso and the Duesenberg-powered ‘Wonder
Bread Special’ 1934 Indy Car.

The show is especially
appealing to family audiences, thanks to its location in the heart of vibrant
Carmel-by-the-Sea. It is an event in which the entire town shares, with many of
the shops, galleries and restaurants also participating in the show with
imaginative automotive-related window displays. Some of the vignettes also competed
for prizes in the ‘Concours in the Windows’ contest. Tillson summed up his
experience at this year’s event by saying, “The directors and volunteers do a
heroic job to put this magical show on each year and I couldn’t be prouder to
be associated with this event.”

With the spectacular
background of the historic village, The Carmel-by-the-Sea Concours on the
Avenue delivers ‘Sophistication with a dash of fun’ to both the hard core
motoring enthusiast as well as the rest of the family. Guided by the principle
‘Authenticity and Originality Matter’, it gathers together the finest examples
of a wide variety of vintage and historic sports, GT, racing, luxury and family
vehicles, and displays them on the avenues of Carmel-by-the-Sea in a unique
show which is open at no cost to spectator guests. A major beneficiary of the
Concours on the Avenue is The Carmel Foundation, in support of the work the
Foundation does for the senior community of the Monterey Peninsula. More www.motorclubevents.com

I have been writing car reviews since 1984. I am a Certified Automotive Technician although I no longer ply that trade. I worked for twenty years for the California Department of Consumer Affairs & Bureau of Automotive Repair. I sat on three legislative advisory committees. I wrote an automotive column for the Tracy Press, and before that the Pacifica Tribune. I was a member of the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada and am a member of the Western Automotive Journalists.